Laser Masters UK title claimed by gold medal winning coach Jon Emmett

Jon Emmett, who coached Chinese Gold medallist Lijia Xu to victory in Weymouth in 2012, won the UK Masters' national title in the Laser Radial class during the weekend. Jon was amongst the 121 helms from across the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands who packed the famous Cobb and harbour beach at Lyme Regis for three days.

The UK Laser Masters' Nationals were sponsored by Wildwind Sailing Holidays and is for UK Laser sailors who are at least 35 years old. Both the Standard and Radial fleets raced and this weekend, as well as competing for the National titles, the sailors were also looking to qualify for the Masters' World Championships which take place in Oman at the end of November.

The high pressure area lodged over the UK made conditions very difficult for the Race team on Friday and Sunday. It was only on Saturday that a good sea breeze enabled three races to be completed. In the Radial fleet Jon Emmett won Friday's single race and all three on Saturday to be sure of taking the title with a day to spare. In the Standard fleet life was far more difficult and it was only when he won the single race on Sunday that Terry Scutcher took the title on countback from Roger O'Gorman, with Dutch helm Lennart Cnossen two points adrift in third.

At the Saturday evening Championship dinner Glyn Purnell, who had served for many years as the Masters' Representative on the UK Laser Association National Committee was presented with a framed and signed print from the weekend's racing. Also at the dinner Peter Young, also from Weir Wood S.C., won a week's sailing holiday courtesy of the sponsors Wildwind Sailing Holidays.

The prizes were presented by Lyme Regis Mayor (and club member) Sally Holman and she and the rest of the Race Team were thanked for their efforts over the weekend.